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New Year, New Job Hunt!

It is a New Year, and now is a popular time for people to be looking for jobs and for clients to be recruiting for their jobs to be filled. We thought that it would be a good time to revisit a blog which was written to give advice on securing the first role in London. Although it is aimed at ‘first jobbers’, this blog is also useful if you are dusting off your job finding hat and need some little hints and tips at getting back on the game.

Registering with Agencies

London has so many opportunities but unfortunately the job hunt for most is not always straightforward…

It can be so disheartening when you send out hundreds of applications to different companies and hear nothing back. So how do you go about it? Firstly, it would be an idea to apply to some London based agencies. As a first time jobber it is difficult knowing exactly what you want to do and how to go about getting it, and agencies can help with this.

Recruitment agencies are there to help when you’re not sure which direction you want to go in – they make the job hunt appear less daunting, and help by doing the hard work for you, so it’s a good idea to register with as many agencies as possible.

The registering part is pretty easy – they go through your CV and ask questions. You get to talk all about yourself, your interests, your ambitions, what jobs you’re interested and those that you’re not.

With your first job, it’s important that you take your time and don’t rush into taking something that you don’t like and can’t see yourself doing. Recruitment agencies will send you the specs of all the jobs that they think you’d be suited for, but it doesn’t mean you have to take them just because! Jobs come flying through recruitment agencies’ doors all the time, so if they don’t have something suitable that day, the chances are something else will pop up the next day! You don’t want to waste the agencies’ time or your own.

Social Media

As well as registering with agencies it is important to keep up to date with all things social media. Social media is becoming an increasingly powerful tool, for example here at Joyce Guiness as well as using our website, we advertise all our jobs on Linked In, Facebook and Twitter. It is an easy and simple way to connect with prospective candidates. It’s not just agencies that use social media, but companies themselves post their jobs via these means. It is important to keep an eye on these platforms – you could simply carry out a search, or follow companies / agencies directly.

Job Boards

Additionally, sign up to online job boards such as ‘Reed’ and ‘Indeed’, where a whole array of different jobs are posted and updated daily. At Joyce Guiness, we advertise our jobs through 2 platforms – our website and ‘Secs and the City’. These job boards really do make it easy for you, as they also have the facilities for you to sign-up to job alerts. You can be made aware instantly when your perfect job becomes live, meaning you’ll never miss out again!

Work Experience

If neither routes sound like your sort of thing, then you could always try completing some work experience. It’s a great chance to get as much exposure to an industry that you may not know a huge amount about, and gain some transferable skills – and you never know, if your prove yourself, there could even be a job for you at the end!

We hope that these little bits of advice will help you! Good Luck and make sure that you get in touch with us!

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Some people dream of being an interior designer from an early age. One such person was Sophie Conran. The BBC wrote the following article on those who want to pursue their dreams back in 2014: . Pip Cox the MD at Joyce Guiness has worked in recruitment for nearly 20 years and has noticed a rise in people wanting to work in the creative sector, especially the world of Interiors. At Joyce Guiness we cover a variety of jobs with about 50% of them in the luxury sector: art galleries, luxury retail and interiors. When asked to recruit for interiors companies, our clients request candidates who have a proven interest or some kind of passion in the interiors world that is demonstrated or shown on their CV. This could be anything from work experience or a course. With so many people interested in this area it’s becoming increasingly hard to make sure you stand out from the crowd. In order to break into interior design, firstly you need to be adamant this industry is for you. Having passion and hunger will really spur you into getting that highly needed experience that will demonstrate this. A proven interest is a step in the right direction and attending trade shows is a great place to start to see if interior design appeals. There are plenty that take place in and around London, e.g...

Interviews can be scary as it’s the first chance your prospective employee gets of deciding whether or not you’d be a great fit for them, and after all, first impressions count. We’ve put together some helpful tips and pointers to support you along the way: Research the company thoroughly – it’s important to have developed an understanding as it demonstrates your keen and interested in what the company does Be sure you know the time, date and location of the interview and name of the person you are meeting Plan your route (try to arrive 10 minutes before your interview in order to compose yourself and calm the nerves!) Take a copy of your CV for the interviewer/s During the interview, answer the questions briefly, but try to avoid no or yes answers. It’s important not to embellish answers, honesty is key! Remember firm handshake and thank them for their time Body language is key – don’t play with your hair or your hands, try not to create defensive barriers, maintain a natural eye contact, above all try to be natural Dress appropriately – it may vary from smart, formal wear to very formal dress in others. Try and get an insight into what the company would expect from employees or through observation Interviewers also tend to open up the floor at the end of the interview to any questions..

Despite what the weather would suggest, we in the midst of summer. Summer always brings about the need to ditch the sugar and pick up the slightly healthy alternative. Here at JG we’ve hopped on this bandwagon and have become obsessed with all things to do with healthy drinks. It’s an easy way to get your vitamin fix without going OTT. 1) Mello Drinks We love this drink. It is made simply of pressed and de-seeded watermelons. It’s the perfect way to keep cool and refreshed during the ‘hot’ summer. A drink full of mineral, vitamins and antioxidants that gives you that healthy boost. 2) What a Melon This is a drink which you won’t find on the shop shelves just yet, but it sounds utterly delicious. Ahead of its launch in July we thought we’d do our research on this new and exciting drink. It is jumping on the watermelon bandwagon and is made of 100% watermelon = 100% natural. Those that have been lucky enough to taste it state it’s better than coconut water. 3) Innocent When you talk about healthy drinks you couldn’t possibly not mention Innocent – smoothies, juices, bubbles the lot. They are jam-packed with 100% fruit and veg but taste unbelievably yummy. They use over 36 different types of fruit and veg, with at least 5 different fruits in every smoothie. There is even..

As soon as you graduate from university, the next step for most people is to find a job. London has so many opportunities but unfortunately the job hunt for most is not always straightforward… It can be so disheartening when you send out hundreds of applications to different companies and hear nothing back. So how do you go about it? Firstly, it would be an idea to apply to some London based agencies. As a first time jobber it is difficult knowing exactly what you want to do and how to go about getting it, and agencies can help with this. Recruitment agencies are there to help when you’re not sure which direction you want to go in – they make the job hunt appear less daunting, so it’s a good idea to register with as many agencies as possible. The registering part is pretty easy – they go through your CV and ask questions. You get to talk all about yourself, your interests, your ambitions, what jobs you’re interested and those that you’re not. With your first job, it’s important that you take your time and don’t rush into taking something that you don’t like and can’t see yourself doing. Recruitment agencies will send you the specs of all the jobs that they think you’d be suited for, but it doesn’t mean you have to take them just because!..

Wimbledon 2016 is well and truly underway. It’s the event in the British calendar that makes us all suddenly have a new-found interest in tennis. We all stock up on Pimm’s, strawberries and cream, and anything else that symbolises Britain to enjoy this summer sport. Did you know though that during the whole 2 weeks, The Championship gets through… 54,250 tennis balls 330,000 cups of tea and coffee 150,000 glass of bubbly 320,00 glasses of Pimm’s 140,000 portions of English strawberries and 10,000 portions of cream 25,000 scones () Wimbledon is an event that we all get behind and this year Lucy was lucky enough to get Centre Court tickets: Having applied months ago through the ballot for tickets, I was lucky enough to get 2 Centre Court tickets for the 1st day of Wimbledon, Monday 27th June. Having made our way to Southfields on the District Line we arrived to a packed station with everyone pushing their way to get through the barriers – luckily the sun was shining so this passed with a breeze, if it had been raining this might have gone very differently! We arrived at the gates to the grounds and having had our bags searched we made our way to Henman Hill to soak up the atmosphere and of course drink Champagne (remember to take some with you as its expensive there and you’re..

If you want to do something quintessentially British this week then it has to be Henley Royal Regatta. The best known rowing regatta in the world which was established in 1839. It spreads over 5 days, Wednesday - Sunday and is always over the first weekend in July. (As you weave along the busy pavements past the queues of traffic you will probably hear all the radios tuned in to the Wimbledon Commentary.) Back to Henley; The rowers go head to head in knock out competitions that span a 1 mile course - starting at Temple Island upstream before heading towards Henley Bridge. Getting there from London is quite easy as there is a train station in Henley albeit a little walk to the river - It’s a wonderful British occasion with competitors from all over the world - schools to olympians, men and women, boys and girls – all competing in a variety of classes including: eights, cox less pairs, sculls, coxed pairs. For the spectators there are endless spots you can view the event which spans right along the course. There are numerous enclosures along both banks of the Thames and of course there is plenty of action on the water with parties on boats big and small. The most famous enclosure is the Steward’s Enclosure on the Berkshire side. It comprises of two covered grandstands with restaurants..

The biggest festival of the year is fast approaching and we’re very jealous to all those festival goers gearing up to go. Who are you most excited about seeing Coldplay or Adele? Having been lucky enough to have seen Coldplay this weekend we vote for Coldplay! Having been to Glastonbury ourselves we thought it would be fun to give you a little insight and tips into a weekend there. If you haven’t been before then you’re in for a treat, it is a weekend you’ll never forgot, unless you’re washed away! Some essentials to bring: • Wellies • Trainers • Blow up mattress • Ear plugs • Waterproof • Torch • Wet wipes • Haribo • Plenty of water as you don’t want to be queuing for hours in the morning when you’re desperate for it! The size of the festival is remarkable, be prepared to walk for hours on end and still not see everything, depending on your music taste you will normally end up sticking to a few areas which makes life easier. If you’re worried about getting lost then don’t as there is always an info man to ask which way to go and the maps they give you when you enter are very useful There are 3 main stages which are key to visit, the Pyramid, John Peel and The Other Stage, but you have a..

Some people are apprehensive when you mention Work Experience. You may not be asked to get involved with the most exciting and important projects, and it might not last for a huge amount of time, but gaining some work experience could be the best step to take towards getting that perfect role. Of course you won’t be doing your dream job to start with, but due to so much competition for jobs these days, having work experience on your CV is becoming increasingly important. Work experience is a fantastic opportunity to gain some exposure to office life; how things work, logistics, day-to-day goings on, the different types of roles in an office and generally how the whole office system works. When a company looks to employ someone for an office role, they often want to see a demonstration of office work – and this is where work experience comes into play. They like to see that you have had an insight into office life. You need something on your CV that demonstrates a capability of getting on with the task at hand without any fuss or drama, and this is exactly what work experience does for you. Additionally, as well as providing you with a basic understanding, work experience offers the chance to experience an industry that you may not know much about. You can dip your toe in whatever..

As the Chelsea Flower Show opens its doors this week, it signals the beginning of Chelsea in Bloom. It’s the time when the whole of Chelsea comes alive with colour and gorgeous aromas, which for us here at JG signals the beginning of summer! Every year the shops in Chelsea compete for the most stunning floral display, and this year the theme is “Carnival”. Bright colours have already begun to adorn the streets, and we are keen to join in on all the excitement and London’s new found obsession with all things floral. Every day we will be posting our favourite shop fronts on Instagram, the ones that make us smile the most – make sure you check it out as they will certainly brighten up your day! @JoyceGuiness Save Save

Temping always seems scary! People see it as the limbo between a job and no job, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. It is a great opportunity to learn some new skills and learn what you like and don’t like about a job. But don’t just take our word for it, check out what one of our fab candidates has to say about her time temping with JG… ******* A very good friend of mine gave me some excellent advice in the lead up to my first day temping. Just before you get to your office listen to some motivational music! His particular favourite was “Touch the Sky” by the well-known modern day philosopher Kanye West. It worked for him, and it worked for me! Go in with your head held high and a smile on your face. I guarantee your smile will be returned. Stage one: complete! As with any job or new experience it can feel like the first day of school, but you’ve survived that and you can survive this. Remember you are there because they need your assistance. You wouldn’t be there if you couldn’t do the job, so enjoy it! The best piece of advice I can offer is don’t be afraid to ask questions. No question is too silly, and they will appreciate you checking everything through. One of my most embarrassing..

So the 1st of December has come and gone, which can only mean one thing-the festive season has sprung on us again. It is time to get the tree out, plug in those fairy lights, put the Bublé on repeat and re-stock the cupboards with mince pies and mulled wine. But if you are someone who needs a helping hand to get in the Christmas spirit, then the JG team are here to assist 1. Dust off those decorations Here at JG HQ, our office has been transformed into a Winter Wonderland. We have adorned our walls with Santa and Rudolf bunting, put up our cute little tree and have hung up fun honeycomb balls. As soon as you are surrounded with all the golds, whites and reds, it is hard not to get excited about the month ahead. 2. Bake some festive treats Nothing will fill you with the Christmas spirit more than the smell of Christmas goodies wafting through your house. Breaking from the tradition of baking minced pies and yule logs, the JG team invite you to try this fun gingerbread wreath. It looks good and will definitely taste good too. However if you want to indulge this year, why don’t you try baking your own Christmas classic- the After Eight 3. Participate in Secret Santa Ahead of our Xmas party next week, we have already..

Once a year our MD, Pip, takes us away for two days on a little surprise trip. It is a great way to do a little ‘team bonding’ as well as getting to know one another out of an office environment. This year our surprise trip was to HENLEY ON THAMES! Here is a little insight into what the JG Gals got up to… On Tuesday 22nd of July at 4pm we set on our way to Henley on Thames to stay at the Red Lion hotel which situated on the beautiful River Thames renowned for the very famous Henley Regatta. Having arrived in high spirits we dropped our bags in our extremely large and luxurious king size bed en-suites and quickly found ourselves across the road to an idyllic pub – ‘The Little Angel’ with a glass of Rose in hand and a beautiful view of the River. (Ideal for anyone who has come for a romantic weekend btw or indeed with a group of friends?) Once quenching our thirsts with some delicious Rose and having a good old giggle we slowly wondered back to our rooms to get ‘all glammed up’ for the night ahead at the highly renowned Argentinian Restaurant the Cau : http://www.caurestaurants.com/ “Our menu embraces Buenos Aires cuisine, a melting pot of comfort food inspired by Italy and Spain alongside the jewel in Argentina’s..

Are you a graduate who has just finished University or a young professional finishing their Secretarial Course and wondering what the next step is to your career? That was me once and it’s that daunting reality of becoming an adult, accepting responsibility and furthermore not being guided. It can actually be an intimidating and unapproachable change that nobody really wants to face. It’s the endless dinner parties/drink parties, social events where you stand there beside your parents, smiling sweetly whilst the same daggering question is asked ‘SO TELL ME, WHAT’S NEXT. HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO DO…’ and you reply politely like you always do whilst you think to yourself ‘YES OF COURSE I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT IT, AND IF ONE MORE PERSON ASKS ME I'M GOING TO LOSE IT AND HAVE A SERIOUS TANTRUM ’. So I thought I would put together some easy steps to a hopefully pain free job hunt to endeavour to help you find your dream job. 1) CV: Your CV is the key to get you in the door so it needs to be presentable, readable and applicable to what job you want to apply for. - Define what you want to do in life: At the top of your CV you should provide a Profile (a blurb) of what skills you have and can apply in your potential new role..

Joyce Guiness- One of the leading Admin and PA recruitment agencies in London, matching people with permanent, temporary and part time jobs in London for over 45 years.

Recruiting for PA (Personal Assistant) jobs in London, Team assistant jobs in London, Administrator/ Admin jobs in London, Accounts Executive jobs in London, Consultant jobs in London, Assistant jobs in London and EA (Executive Assistant) jobs in London. With us you can find First Job In London!